Ghana’s struggle with proper waste management has reached alarming levels, posing severe health risks to its citizens while exposing the failures of numerous sanitation initiatives. With rapid urbanization and increasing waste generation, the country’s outdated systems are proving inadequate, creating a public health emergency that demands immediate attention.
The Health Risks of Poor Waste Management
Ghana generates approximately 12,710 tonnes of solid waste daily, with only 10% being recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, open drains, or illegal dumpsites—many of which are located dangerously close to residential areas. This mismanagement has led to increased air pollution from burning waste, contributing to respiratory diseases. Contaminated water sources from landfill leachate seeping into groundwater pose another serious threat, while uncontrolled waste piles facilitate the spread of infectious diseases like cholera and dysentery. Perhaps most alarmingly, toxic exposure from hazardous materials mixed with general waste creates long-term health consequences.
A good example of the health crisis is the recurring cholera outbreaks. Since 2010, There have been reports of cholera outbreak every 3–5 years, linked to poor sanitation, open defecation, and contaminated water sources. Urban slums in Accra and Cape Coast have been disproportionately affected during these outbreaks, incurring health costs in excess of $100 million annually.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is now the second leading environmental risk factor for disease in Ghana, linked to over 28,000 premature deaths annually. The situation is particularly dire in Accra, where 15% of the nation’s waste is generated but disposal systems remain critically overwhelmed.
Failed Waste Management Initiatives
Despite multiple interventions, Ghana’s waste management system continues to lag behind global standards. The Kpong Engineered Landfill represents one of the most glaring failures. Designed to last 25 years, it reached full capacity in just three years due to excessive waste dumping. Built to handle 500 metric tonnes per day, it instead received 3,000 tonnes daily, leading to dangerous fires and toxic emissions.
Another critical failure lies in the lack of waste segregation at source. Most households and businesses mix organic, plastic, and hazardous waste, making recycling nearly impossible. Solomon Noi-Adzeman Nuetey, Director of Waste Management at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, emphasized how this mixing leaves landfill disposal as the only option, worsening environmental pollution.
Ghana’s broken promises on recycling and circular economy initiatives further compound the problem. Despite pledging to adopt circular waste practices, only 10% of waste gets recycled. Pilot projects like anaerobic digestion plants for organic waste have not been scaled up, leaving potential biogas energy untapped. Compounding these issues is the growing scarcity of land for new waste sites, as private landowners increasingly refuse to lease property for waste disposal, fearing land devaluation and health hazards.
“Currently, our waste management practice is not the best. We are far behind several countries in sustainably dealing with the looming waste crisis using best practices,” – Mr. Solomon Noi-Adzeman Nuetey
The Way Forward: Urgent Reforms Needed
To address this crisis, experts recommend several critical measures. Mandatory waste separation policies need enforcement at household and industrial levels. Investment in modern recycling facilities could significantly reduce landfill dependence. Public education campaigns on proper waste disposal and health risks must be prioritized, alongside stricter penalties for illegal dumping and open burning.
In response to this, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition implemented the national energy transition framework. Reforms passed since the implementation of this framework include the Ghana EPA Act 2025, which introduces carbon credit incentives to waste-to-energy projects. There has also been an increase in collaborative projects with China to upgrade waste management systems.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Ghana’s waste management failures have escalated beyond an environmental issue to become a full-blown public health emergency. With landfills overflowing, recycling rates stagnant, and pollution-related deaths rising, the time for incremental solutions has passed. The government, private sector, and citizens must collaborate to implement sustainable waste solutions before the crisis becomes unmanageable.
For now, the stench of rotting waste and the smoke of burning trash continue to haunt Ghana’s cities—a daily reminder of a problem that can no longer be ignored.